More cars are fitted with digital radio as standard than ever before, but plenty of new cars do not come with digital radio.
As with many entertainment, safety and convenience features in cars it’s premium models which tend to receive new developments first. These eventually appear as optional add-ons on smaller cars before becoming standard.
The last few years have seen a rapid increase in the number of new cars sold with digital radio. The number of cars which come with DAB digital radio as standard has also increased as new and replacement models are introduced. Bluetooth connectivity, handsfree calling and satellite navigation is also more commonplace now.
In 2012 around one third of new cars came with digital radio, and this has increased to 58% in 2014.
The number of new cars sold with digital radio was 86% as of September 2016.
When purchasing a new car it is worth discussing digital radio with the dealer to ensure that the car does come with DAB. On some models DAB digital radio is still an optional extra or only available on some trim levels.
City cars missing out
City and small cars are most likely to be missing DAB digital radio on the base trim levels. The current generation Citreon C1 was launched in 2014 at the Geneva Motor Show, but owners will need to choose the mid-level ‘Feel’ specification to get digital radio.
Models from Ford, Vauxhall, Dacia, Hyundai, Skoda, Alfa Romeo and Mazda are also missing DAB digital radio on entry level trims or entire models.
Second hand or ‘approved used’ cars from the last few years are also often found without digital radio.
Fitting digital radio in new cars
It is possible to fit a digital radio adapter to almost any new car. However, this could invalidate the warranty if carried out by the owner or an independent installer. It is worth discussing a device like the Pure Highway with the dealer to see if this type of device can be installed in the workshop before taking delivery of the car.